Bouquet enhancing wineglass

Abstract

A wineglass having a bowl of depth D and a bottom region symmetrically disposed about a central axis is provided with a protrusion having a central core, attaching to the bottom region of the bowl and terminating in a central core free end, and one or more ledges attached to the central core and positioned to form one or more wine-supporting ledge surfaces positioned intermediate between the central core free end and the bottom region of the bowl. The protrusion is disposed about the central axis and has a height H that is preferably between about 0.5 D<H<0.8 D. When the wineglass is swirled, the wine-supporting ledge surfaces serve to catch the wine and allow the wine to subsequently fall back, thus aerating the wine and enhancing the perceived bouquet. The protrusion can include a pedestal sized to aid in measuring a sample volume of wine.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Numerous wine glasses have been developed for the drinking and tasting of wine. Some of these glasses are designed to enhance the bouquet of the wine. Riedel has developed wine glasses where the bowl is shaped to match a particular type of wine, as discussed in the Background of U.S. Publication No. 2003 / 0189055. Riedel, in German patent document DE 197 57 413 A 1, has also developed a wine tasting glass with a hollow stem for tasting wine; the hollow stem is provided to allow a small controlled volume to be provided to the taster.[0002]Beverage containers have been made having protrusions in a central portion, frequently for artistic or visual effect, such as taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,028,035; Des. 405,316; Des. 363,854; and Des. 343,990. Protrusions have also been used to improve the mixing action of shakers for preparing mixed drinks, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,208,431. More recently, protrusions have been employed in wine tasting vessels to in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a wineglass with a bowl and bottom region symmetrically disposed about a central axis. The bowl has a protrusion with a central axis and a bottom region that attaches to the bowl. The protrusion has one or more ledges that catch the wine as it swirles in the bowl and allow it to aerate and enhance the bouquet experienced by the taster. The protrusion has a height and a radial extension that decrease as the wine level in the bowl increases. The shape of the bowl and the thickness of the glass can be adjusted to suit different types of wines. The one or more ledges can be connected to form stepped vertical profiles or spiral ramps to enhance the swirling action and aeration of the wine. The patent text also describes the adjustment of the protrusion envelope and the shape of the bowl and glass thickness to suit different types of wines."

Problems solved by technology

This geometry would appear to provide most of the disturbance beneath the surface and, unless the swirling were very violent, would not notably aerate the wine, thereby limiting the effectiveness in enhancing the bouquet.

Furthermore, the rib is an integral part of the sidewall of the glass and thus interferes with the visual observation of the clarity and color to the wine which contributes to the tasting experience.

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